Does Effexor XR Have Anorexia Effects?

Many people wonder, "Does Effexor XR have anorexia effects?" Anorexia, which is a decrease in appetite or loss of appetite, has been documented in up to 20 percent of patients taking Effexor XR. The side effect occurs most often in people taking the drug for social anxiety disorder (20 percent) and least often in those taking Effexor XR for the treatment of depression or generalized anxiety disorder (8 percent).

 

Anorexia With Effexor XR: An Overview

Yes, Effexor XR® (venlafaxine XR) does have anorexia effects. In fact, anorexia is one of the medication's common side effects. When discussing anorexia as a side effect of Effexor XR, this article is referring to a decrease in appetite or loss of appetite. This is different from anorexia nervosa (more commonly referred to as anorexia), which is an eating disorder characterized by an irrational fear of gaining weight -- even when a person is dangerously thin.
 

How Common Is Anorexia With Effexor XR?

In clinical studies documenting the side effects of Effexor XR, anorexia occurred in up to 20 percent of people. Anorexia was most commonly seen in people taking Effexor XR for social anxiety disorder (social phobia) -- 20 percent -- and least common in those taking Effexor XR for depression or generalized anxiety disorder -- 8 percent. About 1 percent of people with depression stopped taking Effexor XR because of anorexia. Less than 1 percent of people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social phobia disorder stopped the medication because of anorexia.
 
In children taking Effexor for depression or generalized anxiety disorder, 10 percent experienced a decrease in appetite or loss of appetite.
 

Effexor XR and Anorexia: Summary

If you are noticing a decrease in appetite or loss of appetite during treatment with Effexor XR, talk with your healthcare provider.
 He or she can give you suggestions for dealing with any effects of anorexia. If anorexia continues, he or she may recommend adjusting the Effexor XR dosage or switching to another medicine.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;